compel

/kəmˈpel/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈpel/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈpel/ (ame, mw)

compel — verb

  • compelpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • compelshe / she / it
  • compelledpast simple
  • compelling-ing form

1. to use your authority, the law, or a situation to make someone do something even

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to use your authority, the law, or a situation to make someone do something even when they do not want to do it.

例句

The law compels all drivers to wear seat belts while driving.

compel + object + to-infinitive (legal requirement)

Heavy rain compelled the climbers to abandon their attempt on the summit.

compel + object + to-infinitive (external circumstance)

同義詞
  • force

    more general and can include physical strength; less formal than compel.

  • oblige

    slightly gentler than compel, often suggesting a sense of duty rather than pressure.

  • coerce

    stronger than compel, implying threat or violence is involved.

反義詞
  • allow

    to let someone do what they choose.

  • permit

    to give official permission for something.

文法句型

compel + object + to-infinitive

compel + object

be compelled to + verb

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice: 'be compelled to do something'. The subject is often a law, rule, person in authority, or a difficult situation. Common in formal, legal, and academic writing.

常見錯誤

❌The manager compelled him signing the contract.
✅The manager compelled him to sign the contract.
💡compel requires a to-infinitive after the object, not a gerund.
❌The new rules compelled to cancel the event.
✅The new rules compelled the organisers to cancel the event.
💡compel always needs an object; you must say who or what is being forced.

2. to make a particular feeling, reaction, or response arise naturally in people, t

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make a particular feeling, reaction, or response arise naturally in people, typically because of someone's actions, character, or a work of art.

例句

Her courage in the face of danger compels our deepest admiration.

compel + abstract noun (admiration)

The documentary compels viewers to think differently about plastic waste.

compel + object + to-infinitive (intellectual reaction)

同義詞
  • evoke

    more neutral and common; does not carry the same sense of irresistible force.

  • command

    stronger than compel; used in fixed phrases like 'command respect' or 'command attention'.

  • elicit

    more formal, often used for responses or reactions to specific actions.

反義詞
  • discourage

    to make someone less willing to do something or feel something.

  • suppress

    to stop a feeling or reaction from being shown.

文法句型

compel + abstract noun

compel + object + to-infinitive

用法筆記

The object is almost always an abstract noun such as admiration, respect, attention, or interest, or a person followed by a to-infinitive. Rare in everyday conversation; more typical of written reviews, literary criticism, and formal speeches.

常見錯誤

❌The music compelled me.
✅The music compelled my attention.
💡In this sense, compel usually needs an explicit abstract noun to say what feeling is produced.